Antenna disconnecting switch



Dec. 28, 1948.

` W. H. LINDAE ETAL ANTENN DISCONNECTING` SWITCH 4 sheets-snee; 1 I

Filed July 8, 1944 Hvllllll Dec. 2s, 194s.

y IW. lH. LINDAE ETAL ANTENNA DISCONNECTING SWITCH 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 8, 1944 Y m (TEA "57/ .95M MTRAcf/Afg nrronyeg Dec. 28, 1948. w. H. LINDAE ETAI- ANTENNA DISCONNECTIG SWITCH Shevets-Sheet '3 Filed July 8, 1944 r\.| Il I Hulllllllllllllhnl Patented Dec. 28, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ANTENNAA DISCONNECTING SWITCH William H. Lindae, St. Louis, Mo., and Ben W.

Strachan, New York, N. Y.; said Lindae assignor of one-fourth to Eola Lindae and onefourth to Joseph P. Pohrer Application July 8, 1944, Serial No. 543,998

(Cl. ZOO- 50) 4 Claims. 1

This invention relates in general to certain new and useful improvements in antenna disconnecting switches and, more particularly, to a switch adapted for disconnecting the antenna trunk of a radio transmission system aboard naval vessels and the like.

The primary object of the present invention is the provision of a simple, economical disconnecting switch which may be safely manipulated Without danger of electrical shock to the operator and which is relatively compact and can be fitted precisely within the radio antenna trunk of a radio transmission system, such as a battle ship or naval radio transmitter, for example.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a switch of the type stated which is emciently shielded when in off or disconnected position, so that the radio system may be tested and oriented when desired and furthermore will not create interference with radar equipment and other similar high frequency installations which may be in operation when the radio transmission equipment is disconnected.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a switch of the type stated which is equipped with safety mechanisms for preventing unauthorized or improper manipulation.

And with the above and other objects in view, our invention resides in the novel features of form, construction, arrangement, and combination of parts presently described and pointed outv in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings (four sheets),

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a disconnecting switch constructed in accordance with and embodying our present invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the disconnecting switch;

Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of the disconnecting switch partially broken away to show internal construction;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of the disconnecting switch;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of Figure 3;

Figures 6 and '7 are fragmentary sectional views taken along the lines 6 6 and 1 1, respectively, of Figure 4;

Figure 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of the disconnecting switch;

Figure 9 is a transverse -sectional view taken along the line 9--9 of Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line Ill-I0 of Figure 9;

Figure 11 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing in detail the actuating handle structure;

Figures 12, 13, and 14 are fragmentary detail sectional views taken respectively along the lines I2-I2, I3-I3, vand III-I4 of Figure 11;

Figure 15 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line I5--I5 of Figure 12;

Figure 16 is a side elevational view of the locking bar which f-orms a part of the disconnecting switch;

Figures 17, 18, and 19 are detail sectional views taken respectively along the lines I'I-II, IB-IB, and I9-I9 of Figure 16;

Figure 20 is a fragmentary detail view of the hinge-forming ears forming a part of the disconnecting switch of the present invention; and

Figures 21 and 22 are end and side elevational views of the switch actuating gear forming a part of the disconnecting switch of the present invention.

Referring now in more detail and by reference characters to the drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment of our invention, A designates a open-ended rectangular shell having spaced parallel side walls I, 2, a top wall 3, and a bottom wall 4. This shell A is preferably formed `of copper-coated sheet steel and is preferably, though not necessarily, of such cross-sectional size and shape as to lit in, and form a continuous part or section of, a s o-called antenna trunk in Va radio transmission system. The bottom wall 4 is furthermore provided, midway of its ends, with a transversely extending straight slot 5, and positioned at opposite ends of the slot 5, are depending hinge-forming ears 6 having axially aligned recesses 'I opening upwardly to the slot 5, all as best seen in Figures 9 and 10 and for purposes presently more fully appearing. Secured upon the inner face of side Wall I, approximately midway of the shell A, is a verti cal way-forming `member 8 having a vertical channel or slide-way 9 opening at its lower end to the slot 5. Similarly secured upon the inside face of the side wall 2 in juxaposed alignment with the way-forming member 8, is a second wayforming member III having a vertical slide-way I I also aligned with the slot 5. The second wayforming member I0 is substantially shorter than the first way-forming member 8, so that its lower end is spaced upwardly from the bottom wall 4 inthe provision of a clearance-space, as at a, for slidably accommodating a locking bar I2, which is operatively held against the lower inside face of side wall 2 by inverted retention brackets I3. Intermediate its ends, the locking bar I2 is provided upon its exposed face with a vertical slot I4 of the same width and depth as the slide-way I'I, so that, when the locking bar I2 is shifted to the position shown in Figure l0, the slot I4 will form a matching continuation of the slide-way II and open at it-s lower end to the slot 5.

Bolted upon the under face of the top wall 3 and spaced therefrom by suitable shock absorbing cushions I6, is a main plate I1 extending lengthwise through the shell A across the region of the slot 5 and slide-ways 9, II, and having a Width approximately equal tothe distance between the inwardly presented faces of the wayforming members B, l0. Along its opposite longitudinal margins, the main plate I1 is integrally provided with a pair of aligned depending ears IB for welded securement to the upper ends of a U-shaped hanger-frame I9 having vertical legs 20, 2I, parallel to and spaced upwardly from the side walls I, 2, respectively, and rigidly mounted on the under face of the main plate I1 adjacent the opposite transverse ends thereof, are insulating hangers 22, 23.

Swingably mounted upon the outer face f of the hanger leg 2| by means of a pintle-bolt 24, is a downwardly extending, somewhat triangular actuating plate 25 provided adjacent its base with a large arcuate opening 26, the upper margin of which is provided with a series of teeth 21 in the manner of a gear segment.

Midway of its lower margin, the plate 25 is integrally provided with a pair of spaced parallel lugs 28, and rockably mounted between such lugs 28, by means of a transverse pin 29, is a control handle 30 bent, as at b, to clear the locking bar I2 and extending downwardly through a lengthwise extending slot 3l formed in the bottom wall 4 and having three suitably spaced lateral recesses g, c, o, for retentively receiving and holding the control handle 3B in the respective positions groundj closed, and open. Riveted to, and extending laterally on either side of, the control handle 30 above the bend b, is a leaf-spring 32 slidably bearing at its ends against the inner face of the side Wall 2 for normally urging the control handle 30 inwardly and away from the side wall 2. Fixed in and extending through the handle 30 in the area opposite the locking bar I2, is a cup-like receptacle 32 provided with a spring-pressed pin 33 projecting therefrom and yieldingly engaged in a vertical slot 34 formed in the opposing face of the locking bar I2. It will be noted in this connection, by reference to Figures 3 and 10, that the distance between the slots I4, 34, is such that when the control handle 30 is in the recess g, corresponding to ground position, the slot I4 will be in aligned position with the slide-way I I.

Journaled at its ends in, and extending horizntally between, the hanger legs 20, 2l, is a porcelain shaft 35. At the end adjacent the hanger leg 20, the shaft 35 is simply provided with an end cap 36 leaded or otherwise cementitiously secured in place and having an outwardly projecting axial stud 31 upon which the shaft 35 rotates. At the other end, the shaft 35 is similarly provided with an end cap 38, which is, in turn, provided with a projecting gear segment 39 having a shank 46 rotatably mounted in, and extending through, the hanger leg 2| and sized for loosely litting within the opening 26 of the actuating plate 25 and operatively engaging the teeth 21. The gear segment is fixed to the end cap 38 by pins 4I, so that the shaft 4 35 will be positively rotated upon swinging movement of the control handle 30.

Also leaded or otherwise cementitiously secured to the shaft 35 midway between its ends, is a contact ring 42 having an outer surface bearing upon a ball-headed contact member 43, which is resiliently andi adjustably held by means of a bolt 44 upon a connector plate 45, which is, in turn, bolted or otherwise suitably secured upon the lower end of the insulating hanger 22 and is provided lwith a conventional iitting 46 for receiving the conductor 41.

Formed integrally with, and projecting radially `lrom, the ring 42l is a lug 45, and secured upon theoppositely presented ilat faces thereof, are spaced parallel contact blades 49 which extend radially from the ring 42 and are oi suilicient length to extend, when in the position shown in Figure 8, across the region of the slot 5 and the slide-ways 9, II, and engage a ball-headed contact member 5U forming part of a connector plate I5, which is bolted or otherwise suitably secured upon the lower end of the insulating' hanger 23 and is provided with a conventional fitting 52 lor receiving the conductor 53. In this connection, it will be noted that the contact member 50 is so positioned relatively to the slide-ways 9, II, and the blades 49 are correspondingly of such length that, when in the position shown in Figure 10, theV blades will be disposed entirely on the opposite side of the way-forming members 8, I0, with respect to the contact member 5!)l and will engage a ball-headed grounding contact member 54 bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the main plate I1 and thereby electrically grounded to the shell A. Obviously the gear segment 39 is so pinned to the shaft 35 that the blade will engage the grounding Contact 54 when the control handle 30 is in ground position, that is to say, the position shown in Figure l0.

Swingably suspended beneath the under face of the bottom wall 4 by means of laterally projecting lugs 55 engaged in the recesses 1 of the ears 6, is a metallic slide panel or partition 56. Normally the slide panel 56 is held in underlying facewise engagement with the under face of the bottom Wall 4 by means of a conventional snapcatch 51. However, when released from the snapcatch 51, the panel 56 will swingdownwardly of its own weight and come to rest in downwardly hanging position beneath the slot 5. From this position, the slide panel 56 may be pushed upwardly into and through the slide- .vays 9, I I, until it is in snug tight engagement, along its upper edge, with the under face of the main plate I1, provided, of course, that the control handle 30 and blades 49 are in ground position and the locking bar I2 is correspondingly shifted so that its slot I 4 is aligned with and forms a part of the slide-way Il. In such position, the panel 56 divides the shell A into two completely shielded compartments and it is impossible for radio frequency or high frequency leakage to occur between the' two compartments when the panel 55 is in such shield-forming position.

Mounted upon the under iace of the main plate I1 adjacent the upper end of the way-forming members 8, I0, are conventional spring-pressed pin assemblies 58 adapted to bear against the panel 56 when it is in shield-forming position to insure good electrical grounding of the panel 56. Similar spring-pressed pin assemblies 59 are mounted on the under face of the bottom wall 4 adjacent the slot 5 also for bearing against the panel 56 adjacent its lower margin for further insuring good electrical grounding ofv the panel 56. In addition, the spring-pressed pin assemblies 59 act as bumpers to absorb the overtravel of the panel 56 as it swings downwardly when released from the snap-catch 51.

Also mounted on the under face of the bottom wall 4 adjacent the slot 5, is a boss 60 and swingably mounted therein is a latching arm 6I adapted to lock the panel 56 in shield-forming position. Optionally mounted on the under face of the bottom wall 4 adjacent the slot 3l, is an elongated plate' =62 having three downturned ears 63, 64, 65, respectively opposite the slot recesses g, c, o, and being apertured, as at 66, 61, 66, for registration with a corresponding aperture 69 yformed in the handle 30, so that, if desired, the handle may be padlocked in any of its three positions.

In operation, the disconnecting 'switch' is fitted and secured in, and forms a continuous section of, the antenna trunk of a radio transmission system. Its installation has been found particularly valuable in conjunction with naval radio transmission apparatus aboard battle ships and the like. Normally the panel 56 is held in inoperative'or latched position and the blades 49 may be swung from opento closed position by appropriate manipulation of the control handle 30. For example, if the switch is in closed position with the blades 49 in contact-forming engagement with the contact member 59, the control handle 30 will be engaged in the central recess c of the slot 3|. To open the switch, the control handle 39 is pressed outwardly against the tension ofthe leafspring 32 and the spring-pressed pin 33', shifting the handle 30 out of the recess c, so that it is released for swingable movement in the slot 3l. If it is desired to break the contact without grounding the radio transmission equipment, the handle 39 is pushed in the direction of the recess o, corresponding to open position, andy this swinging 4movement is transmitted through'the gear teeth 21 of the plate 25 to the gear segment 39, thereby rotating the shaft 35 and swinging the blades 49 downwardly into a position in which the blades- 49 are completely out of contact. On the other hand, if it is desiredto ground the radio transmitting equipment, the control handle 30 is pushed in the opposite direction, that is to say, in the direction of the recess y, whereupon the swinging movement of the handle 30 will be again transmitted to the gear segment 39, rotating the shaft 35 in the opposite direction and swinging the blades 49 in contactive engagement with the grounding contact 54. As the control handle moves into grounding position, the locking bar I2, which is engaged with and actuated by the spring-pressed pin 33' of the control handle 39, will be shifted lengthwise until its vertical slot I4 is in aligned position between the lower end of the slide-way II and the slot 5, as previously described. It is then possible to release the snapcatch 51 and allow the panel 56 to swing into operative position beneath the slot 5. By reason of the fact that the lugs 55 of the panel 56 are of substantially the same thickness as the panel itself and are of such length as to llt within the slide-ways 9, I I, the panel 56 will be free to move easily upwardly into the slot 5 and may be pushed into so-called shielding position, also as previously described.

With the panel 56 held in shielding position by the latching arm 6I, the blade-side of the switch will not only be completely disconnected from the other side of the switch, but also will be completely grounded, so that any radio frequency or high frequency currents, which would otherwise tend to leak across the disconnected terminals of the switch, will also be grounded and leakage of this character will be positively and completely prevented. This latter feature is particularly important in many naval types of installation'because the leakage to the antenna from the transmitting equipment would seriously interfere with the operation of other types of high frequency equipment which can only be used effectively when the radio transmission system is completely grounded and thereby prevented from creating interference. It will, of course, be apparent that the. locking bar I2 extends across a part of the slot 5 when the switch is in any position other than the grounding position and, therefore, it is impossible for an untrained or careless operator to accidentally shove the panel 56 upwardly into contact with the blades 49. This safety feature is particularly important because switches of this character customarily carry very high voltages capable of producing serious burns and injury. The locking bar I2, in effect, co-operates with the panel 56 in an interlocking manner in that when the panel is in downwardly displaced position, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 8, the solid portion of the bar I2 will be disposed across the slot or opening 5 and, on the other hand, when the bar I2 is shifted through switch-opening movement of the handle 30, the slot I4 will form a matching continuation of the slideway I I and will engage the panel 56 when the latter is shifted upwardly into compartment-dividing position. In this latter position, the bar I2 and panel 56 will beso inter-engaged or interlocked that the handle 30 and its associated mechanism cannot be moved reversely so as to bring contact blade 49 downwardly into accidental contact with'the panel 56.

It should be understood that changes and modications in the form, construction, arrangement, and combination of the several parts of the switch maybe made and substituted for those herein shown and described without departing from the nature and principle of my invention.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. yAn antenna disconnecting switch comprising a housing having side walls provided with opposed parallel slide-ways and a bottom wall provided with a transverse slot terminating with its ends beneath the slide-ways, hinge-forming hangers mounted on the outer face of the bottom wall and opening upwardly to the slot, a panel s wingably mounted in the hangers and adapted to slide upwardly through the slot into the slideways for dividing the housing into two separate compartments, stationary contact means mounted within one compartment, movable contactor means operatively mounted in the other compartment and arranged for movement from a position entirely within said compartment to a position in which it extends partially into the first-named compartment and into circuit-'completing engagement with the stationary contact means when the partition is removed, locking means shiftable across the slot into slot-blocking position responsive to movement of the contactor means for preventing movement of the partition into compartment-dividing position when the contactor means is engaged with the stationary contact, and means for simultaneously actuating the contactor means and locking means.

2. An antenna disconnecting switch comprising a housing having side walls provided with opaes'rgsee posed parallel slide-ways and a bottom Wall provided with a transverse slot terminating with its ends beneath the slide-ways, hinge-forming hangers mounted on, the outer face of the bottom wall and opening upwardly to the slot, a panel swlngably mounted in the hangers for normal disposition in non-effective position flatwise along the under face of the bottom wall, snap-catch means for holding the panel in non-operative position, said panel being adapted, when released from the catch, to swing into downwardly hanging position beneath the slot in alignment with the slide-ways whereupon it can be pushed upwardly into effective position within the housing for dividing the housing into two separate compartments, a lock for holding the panel in eiective position, stationary contact means mounted on one side of the slide-ways, movable contacter means mounted on the other side of the slideways and arranged for movement across the plane of the slide-Ways into circuit-completing engagement with the stationary contact means when the partition is not in effective position, locking means operable responsive to movement of the contactor means for preventing movement of the partition into effective position when the contactor means is engaged with the stationary contact, and means for simultaneously actuating the contactor means and the locking means.

3. A switch comprising' a housing, a stationary contact, `a movable contactor shiftable into and out of engagement with the stationary contact, a switch-actuating handle swingably mounted in the housing and projecting outwardly therefrom, a panel slidably mounted in the housing `between the stationary contact and movable contacter for dividing the housing into two separate compartments, and a longitudinally shiftable bar mounted in the housing and connected directly to `the handle, said bar being adapted for engagement against the panel when the panel is in compartment-separating position and thereby preventing movement of the handle and its associated movable contactor, said bar further being adapted for free movement with the handle when the panel is removed, thereby. permitting movement `of the -a panel adapted for slidable movement within said slide-ways into and out of the housing for option ally dividing the housing into two separate compartments, a stationary Contact mounted in one compartment, a movable contacter operably mounted in thev other compartment and adapted to swing into the first-named compartment for engagement with the stationary contact when the panel is removed, a handle swingably mounted in the housing for actuating the movable contactor, and a locking bar shiftably mounted in the housing for movement across the slot and beneath the open end o one of the slide-ways and having a transverse slot adapted for alignment with one of the slide-ways, said locking bar being connected to the handle for lengthwise shiftable movement `therewith and in such a manner that when the handle is shifted to a position in which the associated movable contactor is disposed enltirely within its end compartment the slot of the locking bar will .be aligned with the slide-way so that the panel may be freely inserted and the housing thereby divided into two separate compartments.

WILLIAM H. LINDAE. BEN W. STRACHAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number 

